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Former Cornell men’s hockey player Ryan O’Byrne left Ithaca after three years to progress his hockey career. After playing professionally for 10 years, O’Byrne has returned to the hill to get his degree and start a new chapter.

Freshman forward Kristin O’Neill has been a breakout star for Cornell women’s hockey so far this season, providing a much-needed offensive spark for the Red. “Kristin O’Neill is a very dynamic player,” said head coach Doug Derraugh ’91. “She will be an impact player for us in the years to come.”

O’Neill currently leads Cornell (3-2, 1-2 ECAC) in scoring and points, with four goals and an assist on the year. O’Neill credited the upperclassmen for welcoming her to the team and the added practice time in college hockey as some of the reasons for her success. “The upperclassmen have really made the freshman feel welcome,” O’Neill said.

For junior goalkeeper Kelly Johnson, a fourth generation Cornellian playing for Cornell field hockey is about more than just representing her family and her institution. “A great majority of the people in my family that have come to Cornell have been men, so representing the power of females in sports and academics means a lot to me,” she said. For the past three years, Johnson — a biology and society major — has come to define female achievement for the Big Red and has become one of the most talented and consistent players in Cornell history. This season, Johnson broke the program record for most wins as a goalkeeper and notched the seventh shutout of her career. “Kelly has always been a really solid goalkeeper,” said Head Coach Donna Hornibrook.